Sopore, March 14: Faizan-ul-Haq was trying to load his result on Friday when his phone buzzed. It was his friends, Shahrib Khan and Asim Mushtaq, calling from the other end. They had seen it before he could. The 24-year-old from Sopore’s Rehmatabad Hardushiva area had secured the 30th rank in the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) examination.
First attempt. Rank 30.
“I was not able to get my result; it was not loading. So when they called and told me, the phone fell from my hand. That was my first reaction,” Faizan told Kashmir Convener.
The results were declared by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) on Friday, bringing celebrations to his neighbourhood in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Faizan said that his journey to this point has been shaped by local roots and institutions outside the Valley.
He said that he did his schooling in his local village Dooru, went on to Jamia Millia Islamia in 2011 for his BA and MA, and later moved to Aligarh Muslim University and the Hamdard Study Circle. Currently, he is a fellow at Jamia’s Residential Coaching Academy.
“The exam is quite long. It’s a long journey. In this, a person needs dedication and the grace of Allah,” he said.
But what pushed him towards the civil services was something he saw at home. His father was a teacher, active in social work. His uncle and seniors in the neighbourhood followed a similar path. “When I used to see them, I made up my mind—I also want to join the civil service. I want to serve people at my level.”
He said that he credits Jamia Millia Islamia, which he calls his “maternal home,” for playing a pivotal role. He specifically mentions Professor Adnan Shakeel, who kept telling him, “You are there, son, you can do it.” The role of the academy, he said, was indispensable.
He advised aspirants from Kashmir not to chase expensive coaching. “The Ministry of Minority Affairs has opened institutions like CCPC at Kashmir University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Haj House. You can get guidance there free of cost. Online material is available. Use all this.”
“God willing, I will serve the people. I will alleviate their pain and suffering. I will work as an honest officer,” he further added.
In his hometown, the achievement is being seen as a moment of pride for the entire Zangeer area.
Dr. Zubair Rishi, a senior from the village, speaking to Kashmir Convener, said, “This success is not only for the Hardushiva area but a matter of great honour for the entire Zangeer area and Kashmir Valley. I appeal to young people to learn from Faizan’s hard work and dedication.”
His father, a retired teacher, had nudged him towards this path early. “He was in the non-medical stream. This is my field. I was monitoring him. From the 12th onwards, I inclined him towards civil services. Alhamdulillah, today he fulfilled my expectations.”
Notably, The JKPSC has announced the final outcome of the CCE 2024, forwarding 90 candidates for mandatory medical exams to fill the advertised vacancies.
Following the personality test held in Jammu from March 5 to March 13, the top candidates were shortlisted based on merit and reservation rules. The recruitment process, initiated in July 2024, saw 19,659 candidates appear for the preliminary exam, with 2,492 qualifying for the mains and 340 ultimately attending the interview stage.
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